Everyday Skin Care: The Complete Guide

Every day our skin is exposed to external factors: dust, dirt, UV radiation and stress. To keep it healthy and radiant, you need to follow a proper skin care routine for every day. In this article we will tell you how to build a daily care routine, what products to use and what to pay attention to depending on your skin type.

Step 1: Cleansing your skin morning and evening

Cleansing is the first and most important step in your daily skin care routine. It helps to remove dirt, excess sebum and makeup from the surface of the skin.

• Gentle cleansers for combination skin: use gentle gels or foams that do not dry out the skin, especially in the T-zone.
• Cleansing your face of makeup: it is important to choose products that not only remove makeup effectively, but also take care of the sensitive skin around the eyes.
• Toner after washing: the toner restores the skin's pH and prepares it for the next stages of care.

Step 2: Moisturize and nourish the skin

Every skin type needs moisturizing, even if it is oily or combination skin. It is better to apply moisturizers immediately after cleansing.

• Moisturizer for dry and sensitive skin: products with hyaluronic acid, glycerin and oils are best for this type of skin.
• Intensive moisturizing masks: masks should be used 1-2 times a week for extra nourishment and hydration of the skin.
• Best deep moisturizing serums: serums with vitamins and antioxidants can help deeply moisturize your skin and protect it from aging.

Step 3: Protect your skin from the sun and external factors

Daily UV protection is key to maintaining youthful skin and preventing pigmentation.

• Sunscreen with SPF: Regardless of the time of year, it is important to use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 to prevent photoaging.
• Antioxidants to protect the skin from free radicals: products with vitamin C and coenzyme Q10 neutralize the effects of free radicals and help slow down skin aging.
• Protection against pollution: daily care should include products that create a barrier against dust and environmental pollutants.

The best products for daily skin care

1. Gentle cleansers: choose gels and foams with natural ingredients that do not disturb the skin's hydrolipidic balance.
2. Moisturizing creams and serums: for each skin type, it is important to choose moisturizers that contain active ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, collagen and oils.
3. Sunscreens with SPF: use products with protection against UVA and UVB rays, which prevent age spots and early wrinkles.

Tips for skin care according to skin type

• For combination skin: use light gels to moisturize and don't forget a toner to tighten pores in the T-zone.
• For dry and sensitive skin: choose nourishing creams with oils and serums that relieve irritation and restore the lipid barrier.
• For oily skin: choose light moisturizers that don't clog pores and cleanse your skin regularly to avoid black spots and acne.

Proper daily skin care is the key to skin health and beauty. By following simple recommendations, you can keep your skin fresh, moisturized and protected from negative factors. Don't forget that it is important to regularly update your skin care products, selecting them according to the season and skin condition.

Build a daily skin care Anyone can do this if they are familiar with the structure of the skin. Age should be taken into account in order to make a competent care. Why? Because the older we get, the more changes occur in our skin. It is also important to keep in mind the cell cycle of the skin when formulating a daily care regimen.

The stratum corneum is the dead cells that form a "graveyard" on the surface of the skin. They are born in the basal layer of the epidermis, then go through their cell cycle, "making their way" through the epidermis to the surface of the skin, where they die, forming a dead stratum corneum. The younger a person is, the thinner the stratum corneum and the shorter the cell cycle. This means that stratum corneum removal should occur more frequently in adult skin than in young skin.

Fighting unwanted hair, although not part of your daily skin care routine, is a procedure that can disrupt a well-established regimen if the wrong post-waxing or depilation care regimen is chosen. First of all, the structure of the skin and hair follicles should be studied. Then decide which depilation method to choose. Full information that tells you everything about depilation, the materials that are used to remove unwanted hair with wax, sugar, special wax strips, etc., can be found on the website of the online store ForSalon.ru.

We will not go further into the skin and talk about the other two layers, because skin care, including cosmetics, affects only one layer - the epidermis, in which there are no vessels. The skin is nourished from the dermis. The collagen matrix, which is responsible for the skin's tautness and elasticity, is also located there.

The skin has a very limited permeability. It allows small molecules, no larger than 100 molecules, to penetrate deep into the skin. The vast majority of cosmetic ingredients have a large molecule size, so almost all cosmetics "settle" on the surface of the skin, affecting only the state of the dead stratum corneum. In this regard, we will leave out the various types of cosmetics with collagen, with hyaluronic acid, with vitamins and provitamins. Having low permeability, the skin will not let all these substances inside. Consequently, such cosmetics can not fulfill the functions imposed on it by advertising.

A sample regimen for daily care:

- cleansing
- soak
- sour toning
- soak
- moisturize
- soak

Cleansing

An alkaline industrial wash with powerful surfactants can be used for cleansing. The presence of surfactants is especially important if decorative cosmetics are used in skin care. You can also continue to cleanse your skin as part of your skin dehydration repair regimen by applying oil or petroleum jelly before cleansing.

Acid tinting

Tinting must be introduced if an alkaline cleanser is chosen for cleansing. It can be identified by the absence of AHA acids in the composition and the pH indication.

However, if you manage to buy an acidic cleanser, i.e. a cleanser with a pH designation below neutral (neutral pH 7.0-7.5), such as this one, in this case you don't need to tone your skin additionally.

But unfortunately, acidic cleansers are very few in the market. So after we cleanse the skin, we have to acidify or tone the skin.

Acidic skin toning is a forced step in skin care because, alas, the vast majority of cleansers are alkaline. Skin doesn't like alkaline. And when we use it, the composition of the skin's natural acid-alkaline mantle shifts to the alkaline side, which can make the skin dehydrated. So to help the skin restore its natural acid-alkaline balance faster, we have to use acid, that is, acidic toners, or special cosmetics, where the acid-alkaline balance of these cosmetics is indicated in the form of pH. The lower the number next to the pH, the more acidic our cosmetics are. For daily toning we can use cosmetics with a pH not lower than 4.0-6.5. Acidic toners usually include AHA acids: glycolic lactic acid, and other acids, which are called "fruit" acids.

When choosing a toner, it is very important to remember that a true acidic toner should have a pH designation on it. This is due to the fact that recently manufacturers have been calling any cosmetics tonics. Therefore, when choosing a tonic, it is better not to pay attention to the name "tonic". And look for the pH indication. Here is an example of toners with glycolic acid: Glycolic Acid Toner or Glycolic Acid Facial Toner.

A regimen for using acidic toners after alkaline washes for skin of different ages:
- for those under 25, in a day or two.
- for those under 40, every day or every other day.
- for those over 40, every day.

Moisturizing

The final chord in skin care is moisturizing. When selecting moisturizing creams in the form of cosmetics, you should know your skin type. Based on this, choose creams that contain moisturizers that suit your skin type.
If the skin is dry, it is better to choose creams with occlusive moisturizers. However, you should be careful when using them, because they form an impermeable film on the skin, under which the skin can "suffocate". Examples of occlusive moisturizers are mineral oils, paraffins and other derivatives of petroleum products.
If you live in a humid climate, then moisture removers may work here. But when the humidity changes, the air is dry, such as in airplane cabins, then in this case it is better not to use moisturizers with dehumidifiers. An example of a desiccant is glycerin.
But the best moisturizers for all skin types and climates are base oils. They soften the skin, smooth the stratum corneum, and do not form an impenetrable film on the skin.
Moisturizers are applied along massage lines, If they are base oils, it is better to apply them to the skin with warm hands. After applying moisturizers - after 10-12 minutes the skin should be blotted to remove excess oil or cream.
Among the base oils, sesame, macadamia, ginger, pumpkin, hazelnut, kukui and others are particularly notable.

Why is it necessary to blot the skin?

You should blot your skin both after every contact with water and after applying moisturizing cosmetics.
Read A.N. Decina's research and you will appreciate the importance of this procedure. Simply put, there are microchannels inside the skin, which are "clogged" with water during washing. If you apply moisturizer or base oil immediately on wet skin, the water will not allow the fat to do its main job - to moisturize the skin. Therefore, after any water procedures and before applying any cosmetics it is necessary to remove water from the microchannels.

If you live in a dry climate or dry room, blotting your skin with a dry, clean tissue or towel is sufficient, as the dry air will help you remove any residual water. If the climate is humid or you are cleansing your skin in the bathroom, then the wipe should be warm so that the moisture from the skin evaporates faster.

After applying moisturizing creams after 10-12 minutes you should blot off the rest of the cosmetics. This is to avoid oxidation of cosmetics by the environment. We must not forget that cosmetics is a chemical formula. Ingredients from its composition constantly enter into chemical reactions. It is impossible to determine what role the products of chemical reactions may have on the skin.

We have listed the basic steps for normal, daily care for any skin type. However, in order to make the skin look beautiful, fresh, elastic, additional procedures and products should be introduced into the daily care. All these procedures are better not to use every day, but to carry them out for a while and then take a break

Exfoliation with glycolic, lactic, salicylic acid

Acid skin toning is designed to protect the skin from the damaging effects of alkaline washes. Toning should not be confused with another very important procedure - exfoliation. This procedure is the only one that evenly dissolves dead cells of the stratum corneum, making the skin smooth, even, and soft.

Although the word "exfoliation" has the root "peeling", it is not the peeling of the skin that should occur during the exfoliation process. The removal of dead cells of the stratum corneum should take place without consequences. Scrubs are used to exfoliate the skin, which include hard particles of almond nut shells. No matter how finely the shells are ground, the hard particles still traumatize and scratch the skin, forming micro wounds where infections can penetrate.

The best acids for exfoliation are:
- glycolic acid, which has the lowest molecular weight and is able to penetrate the skin, down to the cells of the basal layer, "repairing" them so that they create an even layer on the surface of the skin.
- lactic acid, which seems to "repair" the acid-alkaline mantle of the skin
- Salicylic acid, which is the best sebum solvent.

Probably, many people have faced the problem when after applying foundation or powder, islands appear on the skin, where the skin looks flaky. This indicates that the exfoliation procedure was not performed in a timely manner, and poorly selected cosmetics were used during the procedure.

Regular exfoliation treatments should NOT affect the deeper layers of the skin. Exfoliating products should only affect the stratum corneum of the skin. Therefore IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTANDIt should be noted that for light exfoliating procedures it is necessary to choose cosmetics in which the pH does NOT fall below 3.5. Otherwise, exfoliation will move to another stage - the stage of acidic peeling or deep exfoliation. And this can be dangerous. For more information about peels, as well as the safest peel, read the article - Jessner's Peel.

Examples of cosmetics for light exfoliating treatments include: Oil-Free Formula with a pH of only 4.5 or AHA Enhanced Lotion with a pH of 4.

Schematic of exfoliating procedures for skin of different ages:
- for those under 25 - once a week.
- for those under 40 - two to three times a week.
- for those over 40, four times a week.

Exfoliating treatments may well replace sour toning. After cleansing, exfoliating cosmetics are applied and distributed all over the face along massage lines and washed off immediately.

IMPORTANT: After any exfoliating procedures, the skin should be protected from the sun.

Deep exfoliation

Deep exfoliation can be performed every few months. For such procedures, it is best to use cosmetics with glycolic acid as the active ingredient and with a pH not exceeding 3.5. But on the cosmetics should be marked that glycolic acid is unbuffered, that is, in the production of such cosmetics in its composition was not added alkali to neutralize the acidity of glycolik. Unfortunately, there are very few such cosmetics on the market.

Examples of such cosmetics include Renewal Gel 10% Glycolic pH 1.8 and Neova Smoothing Gel. Unquenched glycolic is beneficial for the skin because it contains glycolic acid in its natural form. These cosmetics usually contain very few ingredients in their composition. This is very important to realize. Having a low molecular weight, and therefore the ability to easily penetrate the skin, glycolic acid will necessarily "drag" and other substances. The less foreign substances there are in the composition of such cosmetics, the lower the risk of skin sensitivity.

BE CAREFUL! Cosmetics with pH3.5 and below cannot be used as acidic toners or daily exfoliating treatments. Such substances can rather be called light peels, especially if you hold them on the skin for 2-3 minutes. After them, the skin may peel profusely for the first 5 days. If this happens, it is necessary to add petroleum jelly to skin care.

Schematic of deep exfoliation for skin of different ages:
- for those under 25 - once every 2-3 months, leave on the skin for up to 1 minute
- for those under 40 - once every 2 months, for two to three days in a row, leaving on the skin from 1 to 3 minutes
- for those over 40 - once a month, for three days, leaving on the skin for up to 3 minutes.

Deep exfoliation is a painful procedure. The skin may become red, flaky or crusted. The only way out of such a condition is Vaseline for 7-10 days.

IMPORTANT: After any exfoliating procedures, the skin should be protected from the sun.

The importance of exfoliation in the fight against wrinkles

Exfoliating treatments can help fight fine lines and wrinkles. Read about ways to fight fine lines and wrinkles here.

IMPORTANT! Carrying out exfoliating procedures, and especially deep exfoliation requires protection of the skin from the sun. That is, after using cosmetics with AHA acids, you can not be in the open sun, on the beach, in the field, on the street, without protecting the skin or hats, or powder and foundation or sunscreen.

Retinoic ointment as an exfoliating agent

Cosmetics containing retinoids can be included in your daily skin care routine occasionally and as needed as exfoliants. It is usually used if the skin has pigmented spots, shallow scars or post-acne, wrinkles. Ointments with retinoids, in particular the drugs tretinoin or isotretinoin, are used to combat rosacea or broken capillaries (couperosis).

Retinoic ointments have a strong exfoliating effect. Therefore, they should be used carefully, avoid contact with the eyes, apply only to problem areas and be sure to protect the skin from the sun. Retinoic ointment should not be used by pregnant women or those who plan to become pregnant, as well as people with liver problems.

Retinoic ointment can also be applied to the skin around the eyes, in no case going beyond the border of the ossicle. Place a drop of ointment on the temple area, and gently pat with your ring finger from the temple, along the border of the ossicle, towards the bridge of the nose.

To combat inflammation scars and pigmentation - the best is to perform peels with glycolic acid in combination with retinoids. But it is better to perform such peels under the supervision of a doctor.

astringents

Astringents have played an important role throughout the history of skin care. Their tannins have a tightening effect and create a lifting effect. Unfortunately, the cosmetics industry does not currently produce cosmetics with astringents. Therefore, we have to prepare them ourselves.

Tannins are found in the infusions of some herbs. Tea, green and black, freshly brewed, oak bark, witch hazel or witch hazel, strawberry leaves.

Make an infusion of herbs, cool it, dip a gauze or a napkin in the infusion and put it on the skin for 5-10 minutes. Wash off. And be sure to moisturize. Such masks should not be carried away, because tannins dry the skin a little. However, for oily skin - it is absolutely indispensable means to remove excess sebum. If during the day, instead of all sorts of mists or thermal waters, wipe the skin with a weak infusion of herbs, the face will not shine.

Masks as a moisturizer

A wide variety of masks can be incorporated into your daily skin care routine. But when using masks, you should be especially careful and selective in choosing masks.

Clay masks - they create a greenhouse effect on the skin. That is, they act as occlusive moisturizers, which means that they are able to "lock" moisture in the skin. However, if the skin has inflammation, then masks on clay is better not to do, because you can spread the infection throughout the face. Masks on clay is not bad to use on dehydrated skin. But if the skin does not tighten, try to use such masks once every 2-3 weeks. Masks with clay are better to do after acid toning or exfoliating procedures. Apply the mask, hold, rinse off. Blot the skin. And be sure to moisturize.

Masks with fresh fruit - They have an exfoliating effect, because fruits contain a variety of AHA acids or "fruit" acids. Therefore, it is very important to moisturize the skin after such masks. Apply such masks should be dosed. If you have cleansed the skin, then carried out an acidic exfoliation, it is not necessary to exfoliate the skin a second time on the same day with fruit masks. It is better to replace the exfoliation process with these masks. That is, cleansed the skin with a cleanser. Blot it up. Apply a fruit mask. Hold it in. Rinse off. Blot. Apply moisturizer.

You can find many recipes for homemade masks with a variety of fruits. Be careful. Especially with recipes that contain citric acid. This acid has a rather large molecular weight, it does not have the properties attributed to it - whitens the skin, for example. Use glycolic acid. It is safer. With citric acid, there have been cases of women falling into a coma after using citric acid on their skin.

If you include all of the above procedures in your daily skin care regimen and choose cosmetics that include the ingredients mentioned in this article, your skin will always look fresh, beautiful and supple. This scheme will allow you to preserve the beauty of your skin until old age.

You can determine your skin type by Beauty Diary.

Attention! All materials published on the site can not be considered as recommendations of specialists and in no case can not replace the advice of doctors and other specialists. Acne, ingrown hairs, blackheads in adult males.

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